Reference data for bone speed of sound measurement by quantitative ultrasound in healthy children

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to establish reference data for tibia and radius bone ultrasonic speed of sound (SOS) measurement in our pediatric population, and to compare the results with original (built-in) reference data. We also investigated the relationship between SOS Z-scores and anthropometric parameters and bone markers. METHOD: SOS was measured in 463 healthy children (1–16 years) for the tibia and radius using Omnisense 7000 device (Sunlight Medical Inc., Israel). Height, weight, calcium intake, serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin concentrations were obtained. RESULTS: Age- and gender-specific mean speed of sound (SOS) values that describe SOS changes at the tibia and radius were demonstrated. Reference data obtained in our population was very similar to the built-in reference data obtained in Israeli children except for the slightly lower radial SOS values in our population after 8 years of age. A triphasic pattern was observed with a steep increase in SOS values at 0–6 year and at puberty, with a steady period during childhood for both genders at both sites. SOS Z-scores obtained in both measurement sites showed good agreement (girls r=0.40, p<0.0001; boys r=0.33, p<0.0001). No correlation was detected between SOS Z-score and height SDS, calcium intake or osteocalcin levels. SOS Z-score correlated negatively with weight SDS in girls and serum alkaline phosphatase in boys. CONCLUSION: We report the reference data for SOS in healthy Turkish children, which are very similar to that obtained in Israeli children, suggesting a consistency of SOS across ethnicities.